Richard de Crespigny AM

"I have known Robin Gandevia for about thirty years since we programmed in "Clipper" database applications for PCs. Over these years, Robin has fixed many of my "priceless" amplifiers and tuners and has also supplied quality speakers for my Hi Fi systems. Just as there are poor and excellent electronic components, there are also average and exceptional electronic repair agencies. If you have a quality Hi Fi system, then it deserves to be treated with respect and repaired using the best parts and by the best technical experts. I am proud to have Robin as my friend. I also have no hesitation in recommending Dr Hi Fi to any person who wants the highest quality parts and repairs. Richard de Crespigny AM, A380 Pilot Sydney, Australia."

Robert Sykes

Dear Robin

Many thanks for helping me diagnose what I thought was a problem with my Marantz PM30 amplifier.You took the time to listen over the phone, and then after quizzing me about the problem suggested I do some tests first to be sure before having the amp transported down to you. As a result of your advice I found the problem, which was 2 x brand new RCA cables I was using, coincidentally with identical faults. Replacing the cables fixed the problem and I am very grateful to you for taking the time to help. I live a bit of a distance from Randwick, so you saved me a great deal of time and money.

Dan Danielewicz

6th August, 2001

C. & K. DANIELEWICZ

COBBITTY, NSW 2570

The dread of every audiophile, with pre-CD era equipment, must be when maintenance or repairs become necessary. This happened to me several years ago when my Marantz amplifier and Garrard turntable ( both circa late 1970's) started to "play-up".

The current distributor for Marantz looked at the amplifier, said parts were no longer available and my only alternative was to buy a new system. Since both units were not totally wrecked, I didn't take up his suggestion.

After much searching on my part, Dr. Hi Fi at Waverley came to light. Cost of repairs were minimal when compared to new equipment price and both units can look forward to another 20 odd years of service.

Also, a few years ago, I wanted to introduce my eldest son to the world of hi fi. So for his 17th birthday, I bought him a modular system from Dr. Hi fi. My old Marantz would power an Onkyo CD player, Rotel tuner, Technics twin cassette deck through a pair of Pioneer speakers.

All this was pre-loved equipment which was refurbished and guaranteed for 3 months (I think). It is now 3 years old with no failures and still going strong. I consider the system great value for money, as well as very pleasant on the ears!

Robin and Peter at the establishment provide friendly service and knowledgeable advice. I now travel about 160 Km round trip from Cobbitty for periodic service on my much loved old equipment ( including a Revox tape recorder, AR6 speakers etc) and all I can say in closing is that it's worth every single kilometre!

Bruce Hanna

Dear Robin,

Most people have a limited taste in music (country or classical or rock or big band or Scottish, or etc) whereas I tend to enjoy almost all types which means potentially longer listening times per day so it is important to have quality easy to listen to speakers. In comparison to speakers of other high end manufacturers of the 1970s who used one single large, usually harsh, woofer that made you want to turn their speakers off after only a few hours, my beautifully mellow full-range made in England Wharefdales very innovatively used two 6" foam rubber surround woofers that can be listened to all day. The downside of the design is that every dozen years or so the foam rubber (etc) surrounds deteriorate to the point where they need replacing. Long ago the Wharefedale factory burned down and I did not think that the speakers could be satisfactorily restored to their former brilliance.

In our lifetimes we usually receive a few references to people who may be able to help us with specialised problems and fortunately someone who must have known your work well enough suggested I give you a call. It is now history that you rebuilt my irreplaceable speakers so long ago and that subsequently you have always been there with quality attention for my equipment when needed. Your latest help and attention to detail is no exception and even though it may be a bit of a cliché may I say "well done". And thanks.

Bani McSpeden

Good morning Robin,

Funny, I was thinking of you earlier this morning, waiting for a moment to get back to you.

The sound is, in a word, brilliant.

It's noticeably different and you're right about clarity at low volume; interestingly it seems to require a much lower calibration (on the volume control) to achieve a quite formidable result, and, similarly, less bass and treble boost than I've been using - in fact none. Does that compute?

I was listening all last night it was so good.

(I also had one small victory - on plugging it all in I found (with some horror) one channel not registering or working, on CD or player, but before rushing to call you I thought I'd try and isolate the problem, i.e. was it amplifier or pre-amp. I discovered it was the original connecting lead; for some reason the left wire or its connectors had given up. No obvious reason, but using a fresh lead rectified immediately.)

James Capewell

Hey Robin,

Yes, all is well and it sounds great. Thank you for asking.

I wrote your testimonial on the plane back from Adelaide yesterday and added a bit this morning...

In a world that somehow seems to promote a throw away & consumerist culture I would encourage anyone considering to repair their hifi equipment to go to Dr Hifi. Whilst every other company I approached wrote my Marantz PM-50 amp off as irreparable, Robin was able to diagnose and repair the problem in a matter of hours and the amp now sounds as better than when I bought it second hand a number of months ago. Robin is clearly a very knowledgeable chap. He is rigorous in his work and a pleasure to deal with. Should I have problems with any of my other kit will undoubtedly return to his services. He even had the courtesy to check up on the amp's performance a few weeks after its repair. Highly recommended. Thanks again!

Silvio Miconi

Date: Tuesday, December 20, 2011.

RE: ROBIN GANDEVIA -TESTIMONIAL

I have known Robin (Doctor. Hi Fi) for over 15 years and maintain a great working relationship with him. We (Technical Audio Group) initially appointed Robin as one of our company's external service agents for one of our more specialized audio brands - QSC amplifiers. Over the years his extensive and versatile knowledge in electronics saw us using his services for not only audio amplifiers but many other professional audio products as well. His attitude and love for our products (QSC) has taught us to trust him and value his opinion. We have used his skills for not only repairs but also for his technical advice.

Robin's service has been and still is simply outstanding. He is an honest and straight to the point kind of person who we've dearly enjoyed working with and look forward in continuing to do so for many years to come.

Les Smith

You are an absolute genius, the system is sounding like new, clear as a bell not a hint of distortion and I'm certainly not missing that annoying crackle that was appearing on the left hand channel.

Thanks for your thorough and competent attention Robin it's sounding as it should and that's great!

I have no reservations in recommending your workmanship and professionalism to anyone, which is why I make that biblical trek to Randwick whenever there's a problem. It's difficult these days to find someone who cares as much about your equipment as you do.

Dennis Wickman

11 July 2014

I came to know Dr Hi Fi and reputation through the recommendations of others but something I wasn't ready for was just how personable is proprietor Robin Gandevia. From the first phone call to the subsequent emails spent outlining the faults and observations of my Luxman amplifiers, Robin listened and spoke to me and not at me. He worked through my rather amateurish descriptions of what I know very little about, probing and questioning until I was confident that he understood what I was hearing (or not hearing!). I can't recommend Robin's particular one-on-one approach enough and I'm a still a little chuffed that the listener input that I provided combined with Robin's skill for diagnosis not only identified the issues, but served to 'cut to the chase' quickly, saving valuable time and money.

My equipment only recently came into my possession and consisted of a Luxman SQ-505X amplifier which from the outset I insisted was special. 40 odd years had passed without as much as a hiccup or service and so I thought it wise to now have it seen to. On its return I was both surprised and relieved with the result; the unique signature sound I love was returned completely unchanged (something others said would be altered), yet was somehow crisper and cleaner which was as completely unexpected as it is now silent. I described it as having a greater "poise"... not a bad thing I guess. Otherwise words fail me as to how you improve upon an otherwise fantastic sounding amplifier.

Conversely, I didn't hold great hopes for my Luxman L85V, which as I recall I had no trouble describing to Robin as "harsh and edgy". To be totally honest I didn't think very much of this amplifier, but what Robin has returned within days is nothing short of a revelation! On its collection I promised Robin I'd do an A-B comparison of both amplifiers and I maintain this caused him a little chuckle privately. The result...well, I need not have bothered! Big brother had arrived, bigger stronger and faster and from the very first sounds that eminated from my Mission's it was a 'no contest'. If "poise" is the name now bestowed on my 505X, then "ease" can only be the way (and name) to describe my restored L85V. Even if I closed my eyes and tried to convince myself this was my favourite 505X that I was listening to, I couldn't... The 'ease' of the bass I was hearing insisted there was still more if I wanted it. This was the tipping factor along with everything I described in the 505X also evident. Am I disappointed at losing an obvious favourite in the process? Not at all... I now have two wonderful sounding amplifiers each with their subtle differences and strengths.

Lastly, both these amplifiers have immense sentimental value to me so I needed to know these amplifiers were not only properly repaired and serviced, but that they were also in the safest of hands.

Like the comparison test, I shouldn't have worried...

If your equipment is worthy of the finest possible, then surely it is worth Dr Hi Fi and Robin's wizardry.

Tom Manning

October 2010

I've known Robin for many years and have always received top notch service.

Robin recently helped us out with a delicate repair job at one of our important resellers, correcting a manufacturer's error. He repaired the fault expertly and diffused the situation. His bill was even reasonable!

Raj D.

14 Dec 2005

To: Dr Hi Fi

Dear Robin,

Thank you for the great job you did on my amp. My amp is a Luxman L58A that I purchased in 1983 in Singapore . It sounds absolutely fabulous! You're right, I haven't heard them sound so good for a long time! I will be keeping it serviced regularly in the future - I doubt if I could replace this amp with one of the same quality without spending a fortune, something I am not prepared to do. It is running much cooler now and is absolutely quiet when it is meant to be.

I am glad to have met you and it is comforting to know I have someone knowledgeable and experienced enough to look at my audio equipment when the need arises. I am keeping your card in a safe place. Once again, many thanks,

Roy Stannard

23 November 2005

Hi Robin,

You may recall that you did an alignment and repair job on my Yamaha T-7 FM tuner last year. And previous to that when you were at the shop you repaired my Monarch 8000 amplifier (and gave it a general refurbish).

I would like to thank your for the excellent work you did on both components. My thanks are rather belated because I moved to Thailand at the beginning of the year and have been rather occupied since then. But I am happy to report that both the tuner and the amplifier are performing extremely well. Both my wife and I are music lovers so both the units are getting plenty of daily use. We have had no problems with either of them. And it is nice to use such well built equipment, it's a pleasure in itself.

We get so much pleasure from music that I felt I ought to contact you with this brief update and to thank you for your first class work.

Chris Green

Excerpts from an article in Australian Hi Fi magazine February 1991 by Chris Green...

"...due to the back-room nature of their work, hi fi servicemen (are there any hi fi servicewomen out there?), do not generally have a high public profile. They are rarely approached by members of the public, more often preferring to receive equipment for repair via retail outlets, distributors and even manufacturers themselves.

An exception to this rules is a shop-front hi fi service centre well-known to Sydneysiders for many years as Dr. Hi Fi. It's run by Robin Gandevia and capable assistance of qualified tradesman Peter Loreggia.

According to Robin, the cloistering of servicemen creates a weak link in the chain of information that is necessary for the proper diagnosis of faults. A few words with the customer can give a revealing "case history" that can be worth hours of work later. Mostly a referring to dealer notes. "One channel doesn't work", or worse still, merely: "doesn't work".

Dr. Hi Fi's "surgery" is without doubt the cleanest, tidiest and most "aseptic" that I have ever seen. And I was inclined to believe his protest that this was not because he was expecting my visit! There are neat, labelled drawers of parts and racks of belts in graduating sizes, immaculately-maintained racks of test equipment, shelves of components awaiting surgery and shelves of convalescent components waiting to go home.

The visible stock of parts is just the tip of the iceberg. In a nearby storeroom is a huge stock of parts. Robin does not rely on manufacturers and distributors for parts. He finds it more reliable to keep his own stock of high-quality equivalents (most often of far better quality than required by the component's original specifications)."